Scotsman Archive

THE twentieth case of smallpox has been confirmed and the patient admitted to Robroyston Hospital, Glasgow, according to a bulletin issued last night by Glasgow's Medical Officer of Health, Dr Stuart Laidlaw.

Dr Laidlaw stressed at a Press interview last night that the latest case does not necessarily mean any greater cause for general alarm as the victim has been traced as a visitor to Knightswood Hospital. The 20 cases in Robroyston comprise 10 women, eight men, and two boys. Six of the patients, all women, are acutely ill, and the three most serious cases have never been vaccinated. One of them is "most dangerously ill", according to last night's official bulletin. Over 1,000 persons were vaccinated yesterday at Glasgow Health Department, whose clinic will remain open at the weekend until 9pm each day.

The bulletin also reminds the public that all persons who might have any reason to believe that they had been contacts should report without delay to their local medical officer of health.

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